HEAT EXCHANGER WITH INTEGRAL PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL FOR HEATING AND COOLING APPLICATIONS

• US 20110083459A1
• Filed: 12/15/2010
• Published: 04/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ival O. Salyer
• Original Assignee: Ival O. Salyer
• Inventors: Salyer, Ival O.
• Application Number:
  US12/968,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20110083459A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/238.3
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 5/063 Materials absorbing or liberating heat during crystallisation; Heat storage materials
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 5/10 Liquid materials
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/002 using electric energy supply
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/004 with a closed circuit for a heat transfer liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 6/00 Combined water and air heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 7/0408 using electrical energy supply
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/021 the latent heat storage material and the heat-exchanging means being enclosed in one container F28D20/023 - F28D20/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/028 Control arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/10 by imparting a pulsating motion to the flow, e.g. by sonic vibration
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 21/08 of metal
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 23/00 Features relating to the use of intermediate heat-exchange materials, e.g. selection of compositions heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials C09K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/272 Solar heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage

Abstract

A heat exchanger is provided for use in heating and cooling applications. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange fluid, at least one heating element for heating the heat exchange fluid, and a plurality of heat exchange pipes positioned in the heat exchanger. The heat exchange pipes are filled with an uncrosslinked high density polyethylene phase change material. The heat exchanger may be used in combination with separate shell and tube type heat exchangers to provide residential heating and hot water heating. The heat exchanger may also be used in combination with an absorption air conditioning unit to provide residential cooling.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger for the storage and release of heat comprising:

a shell;

a plurality of heat exchange pipes positioned in said shell and containing a phase change material therein;

a heat exchange fluid for transferring heat from said phase change material;

at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the transfer of said heat exchange fluid to and from said heat exchanger;

at least one heating element for heating said heat exchange fluid.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said phase change material comprises uncrosslinked high density polyethylene.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 2 wherein said high density polyethylene has a density of about 0.96 g/cm³.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 2 wherein said high density polyethylene has a melting temperature of about 132°

C.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said heat exchange fluid is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and glycerin.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said phase change material includes from about 1 to 30% by weight carbon black.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said phase change material includes from about 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of a non-ionic surfactant.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 7 wherein said surfactant comprises polyethylene glycol monolaurate.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said phase change material includes from about 0.05 to 0.5% by weight zinc stearate.

10. The heat exchanger of claim 1 including first and second heating elements positioned at the top and bottom of said heat exchanger.

11. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said heat exchange pipes comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, stainless steel, and glass-coated steel.

12. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said phase change material is in the form of a cylinder.

13. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein each of said heat exchange pipes include a cap at each end such that said phase change material is sealed therein.

14. The heat exchanger of claim 1 having a three-dimensional rectangular configuration.

15. The heat exchanger of claim 1 having a cubic configuration.

16. The heat exchanger of claim 1 including a solenoid valve in conjunction with said inlet or outlet to provide pulsatile flow of said heat exchange fluid.

17. The heat exchanger of claim 1 further including insulation on the exterior surface of said shell.

18. The heat exchanger of claim 17 wherein said insulation is vacuum panel insulation having an R value of about 50 to 60 per inch of thickness.

19. The water heater of claim 1 wherein said heat exchange pipes have an outer diameter of from about 0.5 to about 2.5 inches.

20. A water heater including the heat exchanger of claim 1 and a separate liquid to liquid heat exchanger including an inlet and outlet for transporting heat exchange fluid and an inlet and outlet for transporting water.

21. An absorption air conditioning unit including the heat exchanger of claim 1 and an inlet and outlet for transporting heat exchange fluid and an inlet and outlet for transporting air.

22. A home heating system including the heat exchanger of claim 1 and a separate liquid to air heat exchanger including an inlet and outlet for transporting heat exchange fluid and an inlet and outlet for transporting air.

23. In combination, the heat exchanger of claim 1 and

a) a liquid to liquid heat exchanger for heating water;

b) a liquid to air heat exchanger for heating air; and

c) an absorption air conditioning unit.